The United Nations(UN)’s World Meteorological Day is annually observed across the globe on 23rd March to create awareness about the environmental condition of our planet. The day also aims to spread awareness about the role of people and their behaviour in protecting the Earth’s atmosphere.
- World Meteorological Day is an initiative of the World Meteorological Organization(WMO), a specialised agency of the UN.
The theme of World Meteorological Day 2022 is “Early Warning and Early Action”.
- The 2022 World Meteorological Day focuses on the vital importance of hydrometeorological and climate information for disaster risk reduction.
Background:
During the 12th session of the executive committee of the WMO, held in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1960, the executive committee approved the proposal to establish the annual World Meteorological Day and adopted resolution 6(EC-XII).
The World Meteorological day has been observed by World Meteorological Organization since 1961.
Why March 23?
March 23rd marks the day on which the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) was established by the ratification of the WMO Convention in 1950.
Note: In 1951, WMO became the specialised agency of the UN for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences.
- The day also highlights the importance of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to society’s safety and well-being.
Key Points:
i.A WMO report on disaster statistics for the past 50 years, stated that more than 11000 disasters associated with weather, climate and water-related hazards were recorded between 1970 and 2019, which is equal to one disaster per day. The report also stated that there were around 2 million deaths or 115 per day.
ii.To address these issues, WMO is spearheading various initiatives to strengthen early warnings, improve observations and build resilience.
iii.According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), The occurrence of extreme events is unprecedented in the observed record and will increase with global warming.
iv.According to the IPCC report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability (Working Group II), the world will face unavoidable multiple climate hazards over the next 2 decades with global warming of 1.5°C (2.7°F) above the pre-industrial era.
About World Meteorological Organization(WMO):
WMO is dedicated to international cooperation and coordination on the state and behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere.
President– Gerhard Adrian
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
